PETALING JAYA: The Women’s Aid Organisation (WAO) has called for more policy reforms in 2025 to enhance the protection and support system for survivors of violence.
Its acting executive director Nazreen Nizam said this will ensure women receive the necessary help promptly and effectively.
“There should be a national commitment where community awareness and education on violence against women are prioritised, especially to enable early intervention in such cases.
“We also call upon our government and society to advance gender equality as a fundamental element – thus addressing the root causes of violence against women and children,” she said.
Additionally, she stressed on the importance of involving men and boys in the conversation, educating them to be part of the solution in changing the cultural norms that perpetuate violence.
By fostering a societal shift towards more proactive and preventive approaches, the WAO hopes to see Malaysia make significant strides in protecting and empowering women and children, as well as advancing gender equality, Nazreen said.
The Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam) hopes to continue with greater vigour in its endeavour to fight for greater respect and enhancements of human rights in this country.
It called on the government and Malaysians to give their full support in carrying out the mandate to promote and defend human rights as conferred by Parliament as stated in the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia Act 1999.
“It must be appreciated that the enjoyment of human rights to the fullest, subject to reasonable and proportional limitations, is essential to the meaningful, happy and dignified existence of the mankind.
“There will be challenges. But Suhakam looks optimistically to the future,” it said yesterday.
Meanwhile, civil society group G25 said it is crucial for the fruits of economic growth to reach every Malaysian as the country continues to progress into an upper middle-income nation.
It said policies must address economic disparity to ensure those in the lower-income group are not left out.
“Through these policies, we hope to see a more equitable distribution of wealth, where the marginalised and economically disadvantaged have a fairer share of the nation’s wealth.
“With an increasingly well-educated population, particularly among the youth, the demand for higher standards of human rights will only grow.
“However, we believe that economic progress must go hand in hand with a commitment to advancing human rights,” it said in response to the outlook for 2025.
